The Indianapolis journal., 1887-10-08

preface.
ing no legal authority, have been unable to
make as thorough investigation in many
places as woud like aud after the discharge OF
Sister Annie Conboy from the silk-mil in Au-
burn, IN February last, for having taken me
thr@ugh the mill, | was obliged TO re-
frain from going through establish
to our order, lest some of our members be VIC
timized; consequently the facts stated in my
report are not all from actual observation. but
| from authority which have every reason to be-
| lieve truthful and reliable.n Mrs. Barry goes
On: Upon the strength OF my observation and
experience / would ask of officers and mem bers
of this order that more consideration be given
and more thorough educational measures be
adopted on behalf of the working women OF our
| land. the majority of whom entirely
ignorant of the economic and industrial
| question which is to them of such
vital Importance. Once more appeal to you,
brothers Of the Knights of Labor. to uproot the
corrupt system thar is making slaves-not alone
of poverty, but slaves - sin and shame-of
those vino by the right OF divine paransags we
must all call sisters. would recommend:
'First-Ihakit it be made compulsory upon
every district tassembl-, States assembly or
national trade assembly to have according to
membership and jurisdiction, one more
educators, for the purpose of teaching the true
principles OF the order and that such instructors
be required to pass an examin alton by the
general master workman on their qualifications
for the position.
forth greater efforts 10 inculcase the true princi
pies Of the order in the minds of the members
of newly organized locals, and more thorough
knowledge OF the proper methods of conducting
an assembly.
''Thrd-That we ru~n our whole undivided
attention to the forming of productive aud dis
in the manufacruring of mems women's and
chidrens garments, in this branch of indus
try women suffer the ,nost from poor wages
"F'ourth-That we here and now adopt a prac-
tical line OF policy for urrootng of corrupt and
unjust systsuls. in the pursuits of which there
viii be no time for MAKING the order battle
sonal grievances. And that, finally. we may,
as brothers and sisters Of ora family. accom-
pllsh the good work intAnded-rescue oppressed
humanity from the crrelty and injustice of their
fellow man. leaving tn generations yet to come q
name to be honored as noble, honest Knights OF
Labor"
Instances Of the crnal treatment Of working
women are cited AT Paterson n. j.. in the linen
thread works, Mrs. Barry fonnd that in
branch of this iudrs.-w Famen are com PEELED to
stand on stone floor water the year round,
most of the time barefoot. with a spray of water
from revolving cylinder flying constantly
against the breast. and the coldest night in win
ter as well as the warmest in summer. these
po or creatures must go to their homes with
water dripping from their nnderclothing along
their path. because snere conld not be space
or a few moments allowed them wherein to
change their clothing She says: 81 reached
Pittsburg June IL. Here would be good place
for some to come who constantly talking
of woman's sphere Women are employed in
the manufacturing OF haraed wire, underground
cable, cork-works. pickle factories, bakeries,
sewing of all kinds and all other branches of
business at which woraen are employed else
where. l visited n large establishment a part
OK which is to be fitted for the manufacture OF
nails. at which women to be employed"
The report OF the ger eral executive board OF
the knights of Labor is prefaced in the follow
Ing words: I'm making this report would
say that it has been orr aim to give to every
case presented for consideration ms speedy
ana Careful attention as was possible. Occasional
delays were unavodable, owing to the numer-
ous and importan. calls made upon the
board, and which, in many cases, required the
presence of a menb ber" After giving descrip-
ton of the building purchased last winter in
Philadelphia for the use cf the board, the com
mlttee takes mp in regular order l83 cases
which it has passed daring the year. Most of
these are iusigDifcantAad few have any public
interest. Requests, appeals. protests, demands,
applications, queries, complaints, follow each
ether in bewildeEinr I-ofusion. Amons. the
mos. Important do.uanerss referred to is the
port Of the ct.snIAits5 conspiracy ap-
pointed at the Richmond convention.
The committee has this to say on the
so-caled black LIST, which has been sent to all
the leading manufacturing establishments in the
MahonIng valley, and resulted in precluding the
most OF the men whose names were included in
the list from getting work. ''This case, in the
opinion OF yonr committee. furnishes excel
lent opportunity to test certain phases of the
Conspiracy laws OF Ohio well as those of the
United States. In this black list as appears by
q special investigation of Brother Noyes, author
lied By the committee. appear the names Of
some men who were not In the employ OF this
company at the time the strike occurred, and
had not been so employed for several weeks.
ont were in the employ of other parties and
who have been discharged from work
IN consequence of the said black
list. Your cocmittee unanimously
of opinion that speedy example should be
made in some of the many cases of conspiracy
that are constantly arising, as it is very evident
that the laws are being used for the intinida- |
ton Of our brothers everywhere, with scarcely |
an exception. and that the sooner such example |
Is successfully made the better it will be. not |
only for the Knights of Labor, but for society |
Employers should be made to un- |
derstand that laws are not alone made for their |
special use and benefit, but for the protection of
the weak against the expressions of the strong |
as WE'LL
and eieht-hour movement is rehearsed, and |
SUITS OF the trade mark labels fog gloves manu-
by knights of Labor for labor workers |
product and for use on barrels, are suggested.
Members of the order are recommended to re-
fuse to purchase crockcry made by Knowles, /
Taylor & Co.. of East Liverpool. o.. on account
'f the concerns opposition to the order. Among
The other firms whose goods, for similar reasons,
IRE not recommended, are j. B. Stetson. hats, l.
Philadelphis; Price. Sherman & Co., Philadel-
ohia; Francis Cobb e. Co, Lime, Rockiand,
Maine: The Richards Paper Company, Gardi-
Ter. Me-; Fuller & Warren, Stoves Troy, N
Z; Wesson, (Miss.) Cotton Mills B. F. Spinnery
Pa. Glass Company Bound Brook wooden mills
Bound Brook, II. j.. j. W. Buckley & CO., shoes |
Port Jervis, n Y; Haserdon g Newman.
,olts, etc.. PHILADELPHIA; Manufactnring Knit
foods Association Amsterdam, N. Y. Ameri-
,an Tack Company, Fairhaven, Mass; P. & N.
;orbin Company, locks ETC., New Britain, |
conn; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Com
,any. Natrona, Pa; Eavenson e. Sons, soap,
Philadelphia e. and e. Ratchelor d Co.. shoes, |
Vest Brookfieid. Mass Champion Machine
Company. mowers. rsapers and BINDERS Spring
ield. o.; Standard Sewing Machine Company,
Cleveland, O.
report from the committee on state of the
rider rehearses the discussion with similar
ommittee from the trade unions, last Decem-
er, when an attempt was made to settle eriev-
noes between the Unions and the Knights of
labor. In closing, the committee says: tIn
ur opinion many of the so-called grievances.
they exist are rather acceptable than other
Vlse to some persons in their organizations, and
re used by them TO accomplish selfish purposes;
nd we believe a circular from our order sant
0 all trade and labor unions. explaining our DO
ition on the question of trade organizations
Tithiu the order, would result in much good.
1uch is said by the leaders of trade organizations
bout the destruction of their unions By absorp-